Firebird Flash
KING JAMES
May 03, 2010, Monday
"People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, and we've just begun, think I'm gonna have a son. He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, conceived in love, sun is gonna shine above." - Kenny Loggins,Youngest Son Paints Lasting Picture
And what a son he has turned out to be. The last of three brothers and a sister, James Edward McDonald III has been memorable from the start. Now, as the sun sets on the Chaparral baseball class of 2010, the diamond reflections are particularly poignant.
SUPER K
April 30, 2010, Friday
Chaparral Ace Zeroes in on PlayoffsA long time ago, one man who fancies himself as something of a baseball expert watched Konner Wade throw and exclaimed to anyone who would listen, "this kid is going places." And indeed he might. It has been evident for a long time, especially as Konner has grown into a 6-foot-4, 190-pound fireballer.
FIGHT ON
April 28, 2010, Wednesday
No Challenge Too Great For Will DyerWill Dyer, Chaparral baseball player through and through, has just one goal: To do all that his talent and determination allow to make the greatest contribution possible to his team. It is a goal that has made every Firebird team on which he has played far better than what otherwise might have been the case.
MR. EINSTEIN
April 23, 2010, Friday
Intelligence, Insight Increase Hayden's Baseball OutputBaseball is not rocket science, but if it were Chaparral's Joel Hayden would be very good at it. Joel dad, Rhett, literally, is a rocket scientist. His mother, Leah, teaches math at Saguaro High School and even tutors some of the Chaparral players. Joel has derived his high-end IQ from his parents and uses his capability to see things differently, perhaps, but also more clearly to help himself become the best baseball player his talents will allow. Which is to say, Joel is better than a pretty good player.
EXCELLENCE
April 16, 2010, Friday
Lessons Learned Long Ago Drive Levy To StardomKen Levy has been gone for awhile - since June of 2005 when he was struck down far too young of heart and lung disease. And even though he doesn't say much about it, Aaron Levy thinks about his father every day, often on the baseball field where Ken had such profound influence. And every day, it is difficult - impossible - not to know that somehow Ken takes great pride in knowing that his son has become a star player for Chaparral High School, one of the premier programs in Arizona and America.
UNDER PRESSURE
April 14, 2010, Wednesday
Chris Pleiter Handles Tough Situations with AplombThe Chaparral Firebirds collectively turned and exhaled after they held back Pinnacle, 9-6 last Thursday in a vitally important Desert Sky Region baseball game. Then they thanked Chris Pleiter.
WILL THE THRILL
April 08, 2010, Thursday
Passion, Excitement Define Chaparral’s AbramFor one tough night, Will Abram could not let go of the one-inning disaster that ended with a 10-9 Chaparral loss against Pinnacle in an important Desert Sky Region clash on Tuesday. Two hours after the damage had been done, Abram posted the following on his Facebook Page.
"I LOVE my team. Wish I could of got it done."
FOREVER FIREBIRD
March 26, 2010, Friday
Injury Can't Sideline Big Heart Nate Sherman will be playing baseball next year at the University of Arizona. Count on it, even with the complete ACL tear he suffered Wednesday trying to stretch a double into a triple in what at that point was a close battle at non-region foe Desert Vista. He refuses to have it any other way.TEAM FIRST
March 23, 2010, Tuesday
Unselfishness Defines Chaparral's SpiekermanSince the very beginning of his junior year, Blake Spiekerman, now a senior, has established himself as one of the top hitters for the Chaparral Firebirds. This year, he leads the team with a batting average better than .500. In addition, he has either walked or been hit by a pitch 12 more times to give him one of the top on-base percentages in the state. All that has enabled Spiekerman, who patrols center field for Chaparral, to score 13 runs.